5 diet trends that will rule 2017

Make sure you follow these trends

As health awareness is on the rise around the world, new diet trends are emerging and old diet trends are making comebacks on a yearly basis. Compiled from Reader’s Digest, here is a list of five diet predictions for 2017.

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1. Gluten-free is here to stay

Gluten-free diets, which are starting to grow rapidly, are set to continue in 2017. Gluten is a protein found in grains which makes bread fluffy and dough elastic. However it has been estimated that one in approximately 133 people suffer from celiac disease, a genetic autoimmune disorder that causes the body to react negatively to the intake of gluten.

This has caused the supermarkets in urban areas to offer a wider array of gluten-free products to their customers. Weight watchers often tend to follow this diet as gluten is commonly blamed for bloating. This diet will be popular in 2017 as consumers have become aware of their own bodies and are taking food allergies more seriously causing food manufacturers to adapt to meet the demand.

2. Dairy free is gradually rising

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According to recent surveys from The Physicians Committee, about 75% of the world’s population becomes lactose-intolerant after weaning. The idea of going dairy-free is becoming quite popular and many people are starting to wonder if drinking cow milk is right for them.

Many people in Pakistan are becoming aware of the health problems they face due to being lactose intolerant and due to the demand for dairy product alternatives have increased. As we come into 2017, these alternatives such as soy milk, almond milk and goat or buffalo milk based cheese and yogurts will become more accessible to the general public.





PHOTO: REUTERS

3. Vegetarianism is on the rise

This will definitely be one of the most popular dietary approaches in 2017. Over the past few years, veganism has become increasingly popular not only due to animal welfare, concerns about the environment and ethical convictions but to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into one’s everyday diet.

The young adults of the current generation are being encouraged to consume more plant-based products as the world demand for meat is going through the roof and the world will not be able to satisfy it. Plant based meat products are such as ‘veggie burgers’ are entering Pakistan at a very a slow pace but are gradually being introduced in some restaurants.

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4. Clean eating is being ‘swept’ away

Due to the unnecessary anxiety caused by the misunderstanding of the term ‘clean eating’, the trend is going to hopefully disappear this coming year. Clean eating means consuming whole foods which are unprocessed and free of preservatives, additives, refined sugars, unknown substances etc.

However the people who followed this diet trend in 2016 just picked and ate what they thought was ‘clean’ which omitted a lot of essential nutrients and fats from their diet which caused hindrance in the metabolic processes within their bodies. There are so many different conceptions about what is ‘clean’ and what is ‘not clean’, so we’re glad that this diet trend will be no more.



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5. Low carb diets are gaining popularity

This diet trend resurfaces every few years and its popularity is showing no signs of defaming in near future. The low-carb diet trend started in 1972 with the book Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution by cardiologist Robert Atkins. It was dubbed the Atkins’ Diet and found massive fame around the world.

We will be seeing this diet trend at its peak this year as the new generation of dieters is omitting bread, rice, pasta and potato and consuming whole-grain or vegan alternatives. However this diet will only prove to be successful if people cut out the right type of carbs and consume proteins and fats in the right proportion.

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